2026-08-25 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official approved minutes (approved September 22, 2026), including the attached commission presentations. No video is on file.

Special session opened 5:32 PM with closed session on anticipated litigation (one case); regular session reconvened 7:23 PM; adjourned 10:47 PM. All five members present (Taylor remote, left at 7:58 PM and recorded absent on later votes). No reportable action from closed session.
Five speakers on the proposed project at 80 Willow Rd. asked for an environmental impact report and a public hearing before any action.
Public comment ran heavily against renewing the Flock license plate reader agreement and asked the council to review the response to the Civil Grand Jury ALPR report first; others spoke on pickleball and tennis courts.
Annual work plan report-outs from the Environmental Quality, Finance and Audit, Housing and Library commissions.
Appointed Robert Hubbell to the Parks and Recreation Commission (term to April 30, 2028).
Consent calendar approved 4-0-1 (Wise/Schmidt): July 14 minutes, receive and file the Technology Master Plan (26-144-CC), salary schedule amendment effective September 6, 2026 (26-142-CC).
Study session: council directed staff to pursue 70 percent cost recovery at Menlo Children's Center through fee increases over two years starting 2027.
Council directed a staff report on an e-bike ordinance for the Complete Streets Commission, 4-0-1.
Informational: Grand Boulevard Initiative update, with speakers favoring a quick-build pilot on El Camino Real.

Closed session public comment came from five people: three urged an environmental impact report and public hearing (one also raised concern for San Francisquito Creek health), one asked for more transparency about closed sessions (Velagapudi) and one compared the proposal with a project in San Rafael. No council action.

In general public comment Will Oursler opposed the Flock program and its data sharing with the San Diego District Attorney and asked the council to review the response to the Grand Jury report before submission and alongside the Flock renewal. Herscher, Jaeckel and three other residents opposed renewing the Flock agreement; Jaeckel also raised data security. No action.

In general public comment, one resident asked for more tennis and pickleball space and suggested pickleball at Burgess Park; one resident asked to keep the four tennis courts at Nealon Park; two residents objected to pickleball noise. No action.

Environmental Quality Commission: Chair Hill presented. Proposed goals for 2026-27 include Climate Action Plan implementation, preserving urban canopy, planting trees in Belle Haven and preparing for the Bay Area Air District's 2028-2029 residential water heater and furnace rules. Council discussed progress on the Climate Action Plan emissions goal and the timeline of the Belle Haven tree planting.
Finance and Audit Commission: Commissioner Velagapudi presented (goals include annual investment policy review, audit and ACFR reviews, OpenGov improvements). Council discussed the commission's investment policy feedback. See City investment portfolio reports.
Housing Commission: Chair Oursler presented (recommended approval of BMR agreements for 68 Willow Road, 624 University Drive and commercial in-lieu fees; May 16 resource fair with 30 organizations; proposes two meetings a year at the Belle Haven Community Campus). Council discussed outreach.
Library Commission: Vice Chair Crockett presented (831 programs, 18,409 attendees and 15,764 card holders last year; Library of the Future follow up; main library capital needs such as HVAC, carpet and furniture, accessible restroom). Council asked about the Library of the Future and attendance. See Main library needs study.
These led to the September 15 approval in Advisory Body Annual Work Plans.

Council discussed balancing district representation and appointed Hubbell to an unexpired term ending April 30, 2028.

Study session (26-145-CC) presented by Library and Community Services Director Szegda and Manager Jones. Two parents or users spoke for the center's services; one opposed higher rates.
Direction: high-level market analysis and a 70 percent cost recovery rate achieved by fee increases over two years starting in 2027, aligned with the master fee schedule cycle.

Request by Schmidt for a future agenda topic (26-141-CC); Cole supported agendizing it for the Complete Streets Commission.
ACTION: Schmidt/Combs, direct staff to prepare a formal staff report for the Complete Streets Commission on an e-bike ordinance modeled on the San Mateo County ordinance, passed 4-0-1 (Taylor absent).

Grand Boulevard Initiative update (26-146-CC). Velagapudi, Kershner and Levin supported a grant-funded quick-build pilot on El Camino Real from Sand Hill Road to Roble Avenue; Kershner urged applying to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Pedestrian and Bicycle Program (Cycle 8) and funding an outside project manager and design team. Council asked about running a pilot and hiring a consultant. Informational.

Proclamation: National Night Out, accepted by Police Chief Norris and staff.
Informational: September agenda topics (26-143-CC) and city-hosted events (26-147-CC).
City Manager Murphy previewed September meetings and a possible special September 29 meeting. Schmidt reported on the vehicle license fee and Assembly Bill 762; Nash reported on the Resource Management and Climate Protection Committee.